Apple 'iPad mini' could resemble, be as thin as iPod touch

A litany of photos of alleged "iPad mini" parts have surfaced online, prompting some to create mockups of a thinner, iPod touch-inspired device which insiders claim are close to what Apple is expected to release sometime this fall.

While rumors of a 7-inch iPad have been swirling for months, there have been precious few parts leaks associated with the device as much of the attention has gone to Apple's upcoming next-gen iPhone. That has recently changed, however, and pundits are piecing together the fresh information to speculate as to what the purported tablet may look like.

On Tuesday, iMore offered a mockup of the rumored "iPad mini," which the publication claims is accurate based on reports from several sources. According to the insiders, the device will share the same depth as the current iPod touch which, at 7.2mm, is substantially thinner than the third-generation 9.7-inch iPad.

As for the 7-inch iPad's appearance, iMore notes the design changes aren't meant to compromise usability, but instead enhance one-handed operation thanks to the unit's thin-and-light profile. Perhaps one of the most prominent features in the mockup is the extremely thin bezel seen around the screen when holding the unit in portrait orientation. This feature is supposedly the result of making the device thinner and lighter, and is consistent with the design of the iPod touch.

Mockup of alleged "iPad mini." | Source: iMore

Daring Fireball's John Gruber agrees that the purported changes are in line with Apple's design ethos, saying each product is built to serve a different purpose. For example, the iPod touch doesn't require the same thick bezel seen on the iPad because a user doesn't have the same need to rest their thumbs during normal use.

Also agreed upon is the tablet's light weight, which has prompted some to call the device the "iPad Air." Gruber rationalizes the unit's lack of heft may be what Apple will tout as one of the device's main features. Backing up the claim is an expected low resolution screen, which may use the same technology as the iPhone 3GS. Some have speculated the move to a non-Retina display panel is a cost saving measure to get the tablet's price down within the $200 to $250 range, but Gruber contends that Apple is saving weight by using a screen based on legacy technology. He offers the example of the current third-generation iPad with Retina display, a unit that grew in size compared to its predecessor, mostly due to the larger battery needed to power the high-resolution display.

For comparison, the WiFi-only iPad (3) weighs 652 grams, and the Amazon Kindle 3G with keyboard weighs about 247 grams. So a sub-300-gram smaller iPad would be pretty light.

Gruber goes on to analyze the physical aspect ratios of Apple iDevices, not just the screen, coming to the conclusion that the rumored smaller iPad may fall somewhere between the current iPad and the iPod touch. Also, the device should have rounded corners much like Apple's original iPhone.

The speculation derives most of its information from a number of purported parts leaks, the first being a somewhat suspect photo of a smaller iPad's back housing. The part, published by Chinese site Apple.pro, appears to depict a version of Apple's tablet with an aspect ratio seemingly close to what Gruber described. Although the picture is not of the highest quality, the internal structural elements as well as the piece's rounded corners are clearly visible.

Purported back casing. | Source: Apple.pro

A few higher quality photos of another shell were posted by ZooGue, and show the same basic part except for a gap in the top of the casing assumedly meant to house the plastic insert found in 3G wireless-capable iPad models. Also noticeable is a hole for what looks to be a rear-facing camera, prompting speculation that Apple may be including higher-end features for certain versions of the device.

Source: ZooGue

Most recently, French site Nowhereelse.frposted images of a purported iPad mini flex cable, showing what appears to be the smaller dock connector pictured just days ago. Apple is expected to move from the current 30-pin version to a compact 9-pin solution.

In a related development, Gizmodo on Wednesday released an image of an alleged iPad mini screen received from a tipster. While the part measures 7.85 inches diagonally, it does not share the 9.75-inch iPad's 4:3 aspect ratio. The site ran the photos by iFixit, which said there wasn't enough information to make a conclusive assessment.

Unverified 7.85-inch screen said to be bound for smaller iPad. | Source: Gizmodo

A previous AppleInsider report noted that analyst Ming Chi-Kuo estimates Apple will release the 7-inch iPad sometime after the launch of the next-generation iPhone, which is widely expected to be unveiled at an as-yet-unannounced Sept. 12 special event. Current rumblings have it that Apple will initiate a pre-order round for the sixth-generation iPhone the day it is debuted, with U.S. shipments to begin on Sept. 21.

Where would you put your thumb if you're holding it with one hand in portrait mode?

That's the rub. It has to be small and light enough to allow that kind of operation. The benefit of trusting in Apple over Acer, Asus, Samsung, Dell, HP, etc. is that usability is a primary concern so if they do go with the small side bezel then we can be certain that Apple has tested this design extensively to see if it works. Would about half the iPad's weight, a little more than double the iPhone's weight be light enough for this usage? Would the proposed size for a 7.85" display (163 PPI) still be small enough? I don't know but I have a feeling Apple knows.

That's the rub. It has to be small and light enough to allow that kind of operation. The benefit of trusting in Apple over Acer, Asus, Samsung, Dell, HP, etc. is that usability is a primary concern so if they do go with the small side bezel then we can be certain that Apple has tested this design extensively to see if it works. Would about half the iPad's weight, a little more than double the iPhone's weight be light enough for this usage? Would the proposed size for a 7.85" display (163 PPI) still be small enough? I don't know but I have a feeling Apple knows.

Yeah, the weight should be fine, but with phones (even those huge Galaxy Notes), you can wrap your whole hand around it to keep it secure without having to put your thumb over the side bezel. I would think it would be difficult to wrap your whole hand comfortably around a tablet with a 7.85" screen.

Where would you put your thumb if you're holding it with one hand in portrait mode?

The theory would be that in portrait mode it would be narrow enough that your palm and fingers would reach far enough across the bottom of the device to support it without having to latch your thumb around the front to keep it from flipping out of your hand. And if one-handed operation is truly the goal, then the thin bezel would be needed. Otherwise the thumb of the same hand that's holding it might not be able to reach over the screen far enough to operate it.

Yeah, the weight should be fine, but with phones (even those huge Galaxy Notes), you can wrap your whole hand around it to keep it secure without having to put your thumb over the side bezel. I would think it would be difficult to wrap your whole hand comfortably around a tablet with a 7.85" screen.

There is a lot of middle ground between wrapping your home hand around a device and having your thumb completely on the front of the device to support it. I've used touchscreen Kindles, which you can't wrap your hand around, I don't foresee a problem if they can get the specs in the right space.